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DressesReal WeddingsTips and TrendsWedding Inspo | November 23, 2024
Off-Season Savings For A Winter Wedding
Tips and Trends | July 20, 2024
Hey brides! Looking to save money on your big day? If a winter wedding is something you’ve always dreamed of, we have good news! Getting married during the off-season is a great way to stay true to your wedding budget! Looking for more info? Keep reading to see all our best tips! And if you love content like this, make sure to follow us on our TikTok for more!
What Are Off-Season Wedding Months?
The off-season wedding months depend a lot on where you live! In the U.S., off-season wedding months are usually January, February, July, and November. These are usually also the cheapest months to get married in. For U.S. areas with year-round weather appeal such as California, Hawaii, and the East Coast, peak wedding season usually includes the months of May through October, with June and September as the busiest.
In certain areas with extra hot summers, July and August are considered “off season” and are potentially more affordable. Winter months such as January and February are also usually more affordable. However, one winter month you might want to avoid is December, as this tends to be a busy month for holiday-themed weddings.
Are Winter Weddings Cheaper?
PC: Megan Magee Photography
Winter weddings are generally considered to be much cheaper than those that take place in the Spring or Fall! While most people prefer to have a warm, but not too warm, wedding, if you’re head-over-heels for snow-covered scenery, you can save quite a bit of money on your venue, vendors, honeymoon, and more! Here are a few perks of getting married during the winter off-season:
- You’ll typically have more dates available to you at a lower rate, which helps reduce wedding planning stress!
- Free decor is everywhere in the winter, from twinkling lights to festive wreaths!
- Traveling and accommodations are typically less expensive during the winter.
- You won’t be competing for guests at other weddings since there won’t be many other people getting married at the same time!
- If you’re a sucker for a black-tie event, winter is the perfect time to go formal!
- There’s less humidity and rain, which means you’ll save on constant hair and makeup touch-ups!
- You have a perfect snowy backdrop for all your wedding photos!
Are Winter Weddings A Good Idea?
In terms of cost, scheduling, aesthetics, attire, and more… we’d have to say YES! Winter weddings are totally fabulous! We love the idea of a bride twirling in her stunning Maggie Sottero wedding gown against a snowy backdrop, shining under the twinkling lights of her stunning indoor venue. If you’re a sucker for long-sleeve wedding dresses, hot chocolate bars, and snowflake-covered hair sparkling in your bridal photos, a winter wedding is perfect for you!
What To Know About Off-Season Weddings
PC: Unknown | Natasha Shapiro Photography
How To Get Venue Discounts For An Off-Season Wedding
If you choose to get married during your wedding location’s off-season, you’re bound to save on one of your biggest ticket items: your venue! This includes restaurants, reception halls, lodges, music venues, botanical gardens, and manors. Most of these designated event centers tend to be more willing to cut a deal when business is already slow.
The same goes for florists, DJs, and anyone who relies on peak-and-valley traffic over their business year. When demand is slow, like for a winter wedding, prices tend to be negotiable. And another added bonus for you? The less there is on a vendor’s calendar, the more time and attention they can give to your wedding vision. Wins all around!
Stumped on how to negotiate with a wedding vendor’s pricing? If you start with choosing an off-season wedding date, you’re in a much stronger position already. Don’t be afraid to shop around and ask for what you need! The worst that can happen is they say no.
Also keep in mind that venue bookers are more willing to let go of small fees (cake-cutting, for example) in order to save a booking. Make sure to look at what’s included and how you can save money in the details. (Looking for more wedding budget tips? Here are Tips For Setting Your Wedding Budget!)
Guests Can Also Save Money With A Winter Wedding
PC: Vanessa Hicks Photography | Unknown
Guest-wise, there are two reasons off-season weddings help with travel and logistics. First, friends and family are less likely to be booked for other weddings during less popular months. And second, those traveling from out of town will enjoy lower rates on plane tickets, hotels, and leisurely activities.
And if everyone is traveling to your destination wedding, you might be able to bundle deals for airfare, lodging, and rentals. (Just avoid major holidays and major events in the area, as those tend to spike pricing.) Think of this as extra love for those you love!
Tie The Knot During Unpopular Travel Months For Lowered Honeymoon Rates
Budgeting for a fabulous honeymoon? Choose a winter wedding date to save big! Popular May and June wedding dates tend to coincide with a spike in international travel rates and traffic. This is especially true in Northern Hemisphere destinations like Europe, Canada, Central America, and the United States.
To bundle all kinds of savings, choose an off-season wedding date that lets you avoid high prices and swaths of tourists. Take some time to research your slow-season wedding date in conjunction with your dream honeymoon destination. You may be pleasantly surprised with your options!
Is Everything Cheaper For A Winter Wedding?
PC: Christian Reyes Photo | Innocent Thunder Photo
Though many wedding vendors rely on peak-season traffic for a chunk of yearly income, not everyone is open to price negotiation. Food vendors, for example, tend to keep catering prices consistent, regardless of wedding traffic.
Likewise, popular and/or fine art photographers are usually in demand year-round (especially those who travel to different parts of the globe). Because of this, asking for an off-season discount may not be the best way to secure their services.
In these situations, you might be able to save money by offering to pay up front, by asking to exclude certain add-ons (a photo album, for example), or asking the vendor to waive a fee or two. If you’re upfront and kind with your negotiating, you might find some wiggle room!
Last Things To Consider When Planning A Winter Wedding
- Unpredictable weather conditions might put a damper on your off-season wedding. Be sure to book an indoor venue or backup tent in case of rain or snow.
- You favorite blooms may be out of season for your winter wedding, so speak with your florist about availability and possible substitutions.
- Though colder months tends to be slower, some guests will find it inconvenient to travel during winter, so plan accordingly!
- Even if you’re having an off-season wedding, reserve your officiant early, or you’ll have slim pickings the month before.
5 Winter Wedding Dresses We Love
Allison by Rebecca Ingram
Lots of lovely is happening in this tulle A-line wedding gown, from the 3-D florals to the sheer bodice and thigh-high slit. It all adds up to Allison by Rebecca Ingram and her Allison Detachable Sleeves, a chic, confident, and ultra-sexy statement for your best day ever!
Felicia by Rebecca Ingram
There’s an art to “sexy yet elegant.” Such an ideal can’t be slap-dashed together. We’re quite fond of how Felicia by Rebecca Ingram and her Felicia Detachable Sleeves came together for your effortlessly romantic celebration. We love a fit-and-flare corset wedding gown!
Drew by Maggie Sottero
If you like Drew by Maggie Sottero and her Drew Detachable Jacket, you’re bold. You’ve got a vibe. You’re destined for a beaded illusion corset wedding dress made for celestial backdrops and magical lighting!
Positano by Sottero and Midgley
In Positano by Sottero and Midgley, feel free to cue the disco inferno! Turn up the roaring 20s! Cheers to your moonlight soirees! This mermaid-inspired beaded wedding gown is chic, shimmery, and dancefloor-ready! Check out her accessories as well!
Bronson by Sottero and Midgley
A unique boho fit-and-flare bridal gown like Bronson by Sottero and Midgley and her matching Bronson Detachable Sleeves has charm aplenty. But what about volume? What about texture?What about a nod to 70’s glam in a curve-hugging silhouette and plunging neckline? We’re here for all the gorgeous potential of this star-worthy design!
Now that you’ve seen all our hottest winter wedding tips to save money and gotten a taste of the fab dresses you could wear, go visit one of our Authorized Retailers to try them on IRL! Happy shopping brides!
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